Member's Achievements

Welcome to a new section of the Ayr RC website - this is for Ayr RC members to send us their news and achievements - with or without your horses!

Please send details (and any pictures would be great too!)
to Kara or Kerrie @ayrridingclub.co.uk

Click here for archived 2005-2006

Broken Leg - One members experience

Broken leg - Don’t give up

I, Louise Dunn started working for the Hon Heather Galbraith in 2007 as her groom. I took on one of her horses Hunter Marten, stable name Marti. Marti at the time was 16years old. He is a home bred horse by Heather out of her own mare Foxy by Destroyer. Marti was not the easiest of rides but I liked him and we got on quite well. Not long into the job I was keen to get him competing and was given the chance to do so. As most will know, Heather runs Eglinton Horse Trials so with that on my door step getting him to event seemed to be the way forward.

So we set off in 2007. We had a few minor problems, mainly Martis sudden terror of ditches, I think he thought I was always to jump them before him!!!

We started again in 2008 with the ditch problem on the mend and we had a couple of good runs under our belt, so on June the 7th 2008 we headed to Oatridge. Marti was his usually quirky self that day and we set off good stuff on the cross country. We made it half way round the course and coming down the hill we shriveled over the fence and Marti landed on 3 legs to which I jumped off. Long story short Marti got rushed to Weipers centre to which in laymen’s terms he had a spiral fracture to his cannon bone, going down in his fetlock

This was all one of the worst days of my life. Marti is not my horse at the end of the day but I treat him as if he is, as I do with all the horses I ride for Heather. To phone her and tell her I have broken her horses leg is not a good feeling. Luckily for me and Marti Heather is a saint and was prepared to do what it took or at the very least give him a chance. Marti stayed and was operated on the 9th of June, where he had 13 pins and 2 plates put in his leg. Marti was in the centre for nearly 3 weeks then he came home to box rest with 5 min in hand grazing twice a day. At this point i thought if he could just live happily in the field then that was a good outcome.

On the 12th of September Marti had the pins and the plates removed from his Cannon bone which were there to stabilize and encourage the bone to grow again. The plan was to leave the two pins in his Fetlock for support. However, Martis joints were not so keen on this and rejected the pins. So on the 21st of October the final pins were removed. Marti was home again and still on box rest this time he could start walking out in hand for 5min once a day for a week then 10 mins once a day the next the twice for 10mins the following week an so on. Marti was not really sound, typical TB with no shoes on, he could not really move and he had, let’s not forget a broken leg!!

When he went back for his last check up we had managed to get some shoes on him and in his final trot up he was SOUND!!! “Happy” does not even begin to say how I felt.

It’s now 2010 and Hunter Marten since the day he got his shoes back on has not had on day’s lameness and he is back in full work. A few may have seen him out at the end of 2009 at the riding club combined training were he was jumping (just the nursery novice and novice) and he has even managed a few ribbons. Marti will never event again but I will still be finding some parties for him to go to. My point to all of this is if you are in the situation give your horse a chance and don’t think because it’s a broken leg it must mean the end. Know your horses and be patient do the recovery plan that the vets recommend.

Here are a couple of pictures of Martis pins and plates

Inspiration

I recently picked up a copy of the Glasgow Herald to check the tide times and low and behold who was staring back at me but Vicky Dalrymple and Charlie (Chicago Bay)! So forgetting about the tide times I flicked through the broadsheet to see what it was all about.

Vicky is an inspiration to us all. A true RC member who has done everything and who, having finally retired from her career in teaching can do what we all wish we can do, spend all day every day to ride and muck around with our horses. The article will speak for itself but I would like to say what an inspiration Vicky is to us all even after a couple of recent injuries, she keeps bouncing back. At 29, it takes its toll on me, so I hope I can be as enthusiastic and as full of life as Vicky is when I can retire to do what I love the most too.

Kara

Click here to see the full report from the Glasgow Herald website.

Elana and Oakey at Tattersalls

Click here to see a full report from Elana on her trip to Tattersalls.

SJ/XC Training at Titwood

Louise organised a super day at Titwood at the beginning of April which was attended by 16 people to train over showjumps and XC fences prior to the event season getting into full swing. See the link to view pictures of the action on the day. Many thanks to Louise for organising everything, Aly Boswell, Sheila Thom and Jane Belding and of course many thanks go to Mugs and team for having the Riding Club for the day.

Neddys Offer

Mandy Lynch is sponsored by Neddys and has received a voucher from Neddys that entitles people to 40% off all purchases from www.neddys.com.

Neddys breeches offer a balance of quality and affordability that is quite unique, winning them the loyalty of many satisfied customers. To use the voucher (no: MANDY08) use the following instructions:

1. Go to www.neddys.com

2. Choose your purchases. Note that the 40% saving is valid on all purchases of $25.00 or more, excluding shipping, (so it includes all ON SALE items).

3. Proceed to checkout. Enter the applicable Promo Code and click Apply. Click on Checkout to continue with your billing/shipping details.

4. Please note the 40% discount will be applied at the end of the checkout process - after you have filled in your address and credit card details.

If you want to find out more about Neddys breeches then speak to Mandy at the CT on Sunday 16 March and she will be happy to talk to you.

Members go to Talland

Four Ayr RC members took a trip to Talland for an intensive weekend of dressage training. Click here to get the full lowdown on our fantastic weekend.

Click here to find out more about Talland.

New Year 2008

Kara, Elana, Linda and Kerrie brought in the New Year at the Racecourse. There were absolutely no alcoholic drinks all night, we celebrated the bells with a wee cup of tea!!

Linda, Kerrie and Kara without any Linda, Kerrie and Elana with a cup of tea!!

horsey clothes!!

Linda and Johnny Elana and Iain

Who'd have thought Kerrie had Think Eric must have had one lemonade too many!!

legs??

Congrats to Mandy

Here is some non-horsey news about one of our long standing members -

Mandy McConechy recently got married in Mauritius to Steven Lynch.

Mandy is back from her honeymoon in the Maldives and will be out and about soon on her sadly neglected ponies.

CONGRATULATIONS to Mandy and Steven!

ARC Members - Eglinton Hunt Offer

If you are interested in going out hunting with Eglinton Hunt then Ayr RC members are being offered a discount for their first time out.

A discounted daily cap of £30 for someones first day out. If anyone is interested they should contact the hunt through their website (www.egintonhunt.com) and they will be sent a welcome pack and a discount voucher.

Kirsten Cowling and Arnie

Read Kirstens hilarious view of our new novice novice show jumping lessons. Those of a sensitive nature may wish to cover their eyes, there are a lot of ******s.

Read Kirstens Blog

HOYS - 2007

A small group travelled down to Birmingham to see the spectacular horse show that is HOYS. Kerrie organised the whole trip and we (Kara, Elana, Karina, Linda, Irene, Davie, Caroline, Stephen, and Chris). Below are some pictures taken over the weekend by Kerrie. I dont think it will take you long to discover the theme of the weekend and that we all had a super time. Please note: We did go to HOYS to see the horses!!!

Welcome to HOYS! - Kerrie and Champagne Charlie Eating! - Kara, Karina and Irene at the Carvery

Stephen - Facinating company! Happy! - Karina, Elana, Irene, Davie, Kara and Linda

(Scottish riff raff!)

Cheers! - Is there any more? "Gie us that bottle I’m parched" - Champagne

(Kerrie drank the lot!) Caroline, doesnt sound the just same, eh Charlie?

Who are the Scottish riff raff now?!

Mojito! Drinking and eating! - Hey good looking?! Linda

bags another one!

Where is the grub?! - The whole gang Kerrie and Bonnie show us how its done!!!

No hands!?! Yeh right! Thats the champagne

talking, I think (KC)

Kerrie and her devoted grooms Aw, so cute! - Chris, Karina and Linda

after winning the Puissance - NOT!

Victory tea! - Chips in the bar Cheap dates - More chips!

As you will be hoping, we are all on a extreme detox until Xmas!!

Captions for the pictures are most welcome..........

Lesley Calder September 2007

Lesley Calder - Qualified Bowen Therapist.

I am a working horse owner and rider of 20 years + and my first
introduction to the Bowen Therapy Technique came four years ago when my
farrier told me of the benefits he felt from it.
Having tried quite a few ‘alternative therapies’ off and on since a
riding accident many years previously, I went for a Bowen treatment and
was so impressed that I decided to study the technique myself! My
ultimate goal is to practice Equine Bowen Therapy but in order to
achieve that I have had to start on humans first and that is what I am
doing at the moment.
During my training I had to complete 10 case studies and managed to
persuade our Chairperson and committee member Kara to be 2 of my guinea
pigs. Along with the course, which included written and tough
residential practical assessments, I had to complete and pass a
pre-degree course in Human Anatomy and Physiology. Coming from a
non-medical background this was quite a challenge but I managed it and
now enjoy treating humans using the Bowen Therapy Technique on a part
time basis.
The Bowen Therapy Technique helps many problems from general aches and
pains and stiffness to more acute problems such as - sciatica,
repetitive strain injuries, neck and shoulder problems and back pain.

lesley101@ btopenworld.com

Philippa Stephen- June 2007

Congratulations to Philippa who has been giving eventing a "proper bash this year".

Philippa took part in the arena event Ayr Riding Club organised this year only just missing out on a place. She and Connor (Sunday name -Conundrum) won the novice hunter trials at Craigie in the spring and also won a trophy for being closest to the optimum time. Then they started doing BE intro coming 9th at Scone, 15th Oatridge and 17th at Hopetoun (cricket score SJ, Oops)

Good luck to both Philippa and Connor who are now venturing into pre-novice pastures at Eglinton.

Burgie Taster 3DE

Kara and Ned's first 3DE - follow link for full report.

Report from Oatridge Riding Club ODE Qualifier - 16 June

Red team - Susan Mitchell, Emma McGlinchey, Holly Rivett , Louise McDonald
Blue Team - Julia Kerr, Sheila Tannck, Margot Hendry, Caroline Quarm

Blue Team finished in 4th place.

Red team had some excellent results, 4 good dressage scores, 3 clear sj,
Holly and Emma clear x.c, Louise one run out, picked up a lot of time
penalties due to conditions but all had a great day.

Blue team reasonable dressage, 3 clear sj, Sheila, Margot and Caroline clear
x.c, Julia one stop but not as many time penalties for this group.

No photos as it was so wet everyone was hiding and the location was so
spread out.

Louise MacDonald (Team Coordinator)

Rozelle - 10 June

Follow link for Kara's report from Rozelle. Ayr Open team win and head to Lincoln in September...yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

British Eventing - Oatridge - 9 June

Message from Vicky Dalrymple –

Chicago Bay 'in the ribbons' at Oatridge. Placed 9th in Pre Novice section H.

Dressage overall greatly improved after lessons with Adam Murdin. Canter on right rein still needs work; one pole down in Show Jumping; lovely clear round Cross Country (with corners, 'skinnies', ditches, drops and water) comfortably inside optimum time. Very pleased with this, his first competition of the season.